Written by

@MeghanVanDykDR

A 260-acre former dairy farm in Sussex County bordered by Kittatinny Valley State Park will be permanently preserved through a $5.8 million deal announced Wednesday by the state Department of Environmental Protection and The Trust for Public Land.

The Andover farm, part of the Pequest River watershed, is a partially forested tract filled with rolling hills, green fields and sweeping views of the surrounding countryside which is bordered on two sides by the Sussex Branch Trail and a recently state-acquired rail-trail, according to a DEP news release.

"Preserving these lands ensures a continued high quality of drinking water for state residents, while safeguarding habitat for many plant and animal species, enhancing recreational opportunities for our residents, and raising the quality of life in our state,” said Bob Martin, DEP commissioner.

The land was targeted for development dating back to the late 1980s and, if built, could have tripled Andover borough's population, according to the release. It includes about 220-acres of the Francisco Farm, better known as the Beazer Homes development site, and 38 acres in Andover Township and 2 acres in Green Township.

The property was offered to the state for preservation purchase in 2011, according to the DEP, prompting a coordinated effort with TPL and other partners to purchase the site from the private landowner

As part of the preservation effort, the Trust for Public Land worked with Andover Borough to ask voters to approve an open space tax to help finance acquisition of Francisco Farm. Eighty-four percent of voters approved the tax.

Of the 260 acres that were purchased, 222 acres will be added to Kittatinny Valley State Park, 12 acres will be used by Andover Borough for recreational purposes, and 5 acres will be used by Sussex County for future road widening.

The remaining 21 acres were sold for non-open space use to help offset the purchase price. Of those 21 acres, 17 were sold to Andover Borough for future borough use, and four acres were sold to neighboring homeowners, according to the DEP.

(Page 2 of 4)

Funding for the acquisition includes: $4 million in New Jersey Green Acres acquisition funds; $720,000 in Green Acres grants to project partners; $400,000 from the Sussex County Open Space Trust Fund; $150,000 from the Andover Borough Open Space Trust Fund; $100,000 from the Victoria Foundation; $75,000 from the Johanette Wallerstein Institute; and $15,000 from the Trust for Public Land. The Union Foundation also was a partner in the preservation effort.

“Andover Borough is a small community that came together in a big way to conserve Francisco Farm,” said Kathy Haake, project manager for The Trust for Public Land.

Spring clean-up event in Morristown

Morristown residents, businesses and friends are invited to help clean up town parks at its 24th annual Town Wide Spring Clean-Up.

Many families, individuals, churches, civic and school groups have made this a much anticipatedtradition, combing their neighborhoods, as well as parks, playgrounds, monuments and other familiar and much loved town locations to collect and dispose of trash that has accumulated over the winter.

Many of these groups have come up with additional projects to help beautify the town and make it even more colorful and inviting.

“Morristonians have always taken pride in their community — and one way they demonstrate that pride is by volunteering just a few hours each spring to our town-wide clean-up,” says Kathleen O’Neill Margiotta, chairperson of the Morristown Clean Communities volunteer committee, the event’s organizer.

Combined with communal efforts to recycle and eliminate litter, the program’s historic success is reflected by the fact that the first year, some 12 tons of waste were collected. By last year, that total had been reduced to less than two tons.

Volunteers will meet at the town hall rear parking lot, 200 South Street, at 9 a.m. to register and receive their work assignments. They should dress for work detail and, if possible, bring their own work gloves, rakes, shovels and brooms.

(Page 3 of 4)

Bags for garbage and recycling and will be provided. Work assignments are completed before noon.

For further information, to offer a project idea or request a specific work site, call Margiotta at 973-644-4363, or e-mail her at k-margiotta@

townofmorristown.org. Advanced registration is not required. The “heavy rain date” is Sunday, April 27.

Join a moonlight owl in Chester Twp.

The New Jersey Conservation Foundation will lead nature-lovers on a moonlight owl walk from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday at Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center at 170 Longview Road in Chester Township.

Emile DeVito, the Foundation’s staff biologist, will demonstrate owl-calling along trails near woodland edges and imitate the Eastern Screech-Owl’s distinctive whinnying call. If he’s successful, a curious owl will return the call and land in a nearby tree.

Those on the walk may also hear Great Horned Owls sing their courtship duet and see the elaborate courtship flight of American Woodcocks as they spiral high into the sky and then dive dramatically back toward the ground.

Although the walk is free, advance registration is required. Register online at https://donate.nj

Schiff announces summer program

Registration for the Summer Nature Program at Schiff Nature Preserve is open.

Now in its 11th year, the program runs for six consecutive week-long sessions for children ages 5 to 17. The program is held at Schiff’s Nature Preserve at 339 Pleasant Valley Road in Mendham.

(Page 4 of 4)

Schiff Summer Nature Program features hands-on nature exploration with changing themes each week, tailored for the different age groups. This year’s themes include: habitat exploration, nature art and crafting, writing in nature, and acting.

“Parents who are looking for a fun, unique summertime experience for the children should consider Schiff,” said Tina Miller, the program’s director.

“We have over 14 miles of trails that cross forest, meadow and stream environments. Catching frogs and butterflies, playing in our native garden and spending quality time exploring the outdoors helps the kids develop a deeper connection to nature, meet new friends and create memories that last a lifetime.”

Schiff’s Summer Nature Program is offered as two identical sessions per day, held from 9 a.m. to 12:3- p.m. and 1:30 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The cost per week-long half-day session is $180. An introductory Preschool Explorers program is three days, and costs $105.

Summer Nature Programs include Preschool Explorers for children age 5; Hands-On Habits, Nature from the Ground Up and Outdoor Adventures for children ages 6 to 12; and Teen Naturalists for children ages 13 to 17.